River
rafting is journeying on the torrential river on an inflatable rubber
boat. A river trip is often an adventure but not always. An amateur
with a little sense of adventure can equally enjoy it. A river trip
also provides opportunity for geological surveys and fishing. You
are provided with white water life-vest to put on all the time while
on the river. You are also provided with a helmet, when needed.
A trained professional river guide heads the rafting team. Normally,
all camping equipment and meals are provided by the river outfitter.

In a country
like Nepal, a river trip is one of the best ways to explore a typical
cross section of the country's natural as well as ethno-cultural
heritage. The river is regarded as a form of goddess and used for
the purpose of various religious rituals such as cremation under
both Hinduism and Buddhism. A variety of cultural activities can
be witnessed being performed along the river. The adjoining slopes
of the river often harbor dense vegetation and interesting wildlife.
Several varieties of fishes also abound the Nepalese rivers.

river
permits

A foreigner must
obtain a permit before going on a river trip. A fee of Rs. 80 (equivalent
payable on cash in any convertible foreign currency) must be deposited
at the Nepal Rastra Bank, Thapathali, Kathmandu. A copy of documents
must be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Mountaineering Section,
located at Tripureswor behind the Dastrath Stadium. This process
could be completed in a day, except on Friday and other half-working
days. Normally, your agent does this work for you.

trip
arrangements

There
are trekking agents and river outfitters who operate river trips
in Nepal. These outfitters could be approached in two ways: one
way is through your local agent and the other is to make a direct
contact with any of the outfitters after your arrival in Kathmandu.

If you have a
package tour which does not include a river trip, you can still
book one after your arrival in Nepal. If you are doing so, please
make sure that the river outfitter you are going to deal with is
a registered one. The registered river outfitters are recommended
because they possess legal existence.

The river outfitter
normally provides you with an inclusive trip which includes river
permit fee, all meals during the trip, all river equipment (such
as inflatable rubber raft, life-vest, water proof camera container,
water-proof day bag), both way transportation, all camping equipment
such as tent, sleeping bag, mattresses, and so on.

a
day on the river

Normally
the first day of a river trip begins early morning around 7 a.m..
You are driven to the put-in point of the river. Depending upon
the distance between Kathmandu and the put-in point, the drive can
take from a couple of hours to over 4 hours. This is the situation
if you choose between the Trishuli and the Sunkoshi. A river trip
on any other river requires a longer drive or a flight plus drive
and even a trek in some cases.

If you start
at 7 a.m. and the driver drops you at the put-in point exactly after
three hours, rafting is likely to begin around 11 a.m. After you
reach the put-in point, a safety talk takes place along with the
inflating of the rubber rafts and organizing other river equipment
by river crew.

The talk includes
delivering know-how about measures to be taken in case of an emergency
need. The participant should listen to the river guide very carefully.
Questions can be raised to make things clearer.

The life-vest
must be worn all the time while on the river, irrespective of whether
you are hitting a major rapid or running a flat water section. A
protective helmet is suggested if you are running a high class rapid.

Frequently the
river outfitter provides the option between an oar or a paddle boat.
Kayaking is another option. Normally the kayakers bring their own
kayaks. There are outfitters who provide with a kayak, however.
If your option is the paddle boat, then you are instructed to properly
use the paddle either during the safety talk or before sailing off.
If you are of participative nature, then your choice would be paddling.
Paddling is more challenging and thrilling. The paddle boat requires
well coordinated team effort between the paddlers and river guide
who stays at the back and plays his paddle in the role of the steering
wheel of a car. The responsibility of the participants is to follow
his instruction in a proper manner. The thrilling moment for a paddler
is while hitting a rapid.

It is usual that
you get wet whether you hit a rapid or not within half an hour after
sailing starts. In an oar boat, the river guide alone rows lightly
and slowly on the flat water and penetratedly and boldly while hitting
a rapid. The oar boat gives you an opportunity to observe the surroundings.

As for meals,
the river outfitter normally provides all meals during the trip
days except for the breakfast of the first day.

clothing
and personal items

For a
Day Trip - During Autumn (Mid-September through November)
and Spring (March-June)

T-shirts

Shorts
or light cotton pants

Tennis
shoes/sneakers

Swim
suit

Sun
hat

Sun
goggles with string

Suntan
lotion

Sun
hat

Complete
change of clothes includes shoes for the return drive to Kathmandu.

For two days
or more, in addition to the above, you are advised to carry extra
T shirts, shorts, an extra pair of dry shoes, trousers and a light
wool sweater, etc.

For a
Day Trip - During Winter (December through February)

Warm
shirts/sweat shirts or T shirts

Wind
proof jacket and pants

Shorts

Tennis
shoes/sneakers

Complete
change of clothes, includes shoes for the return drive to Kathmandu.

For a trip involving
two days or more, you are advised to carry warm shirts, T shirts,
heavy woolen sweater, extra pair of dry shoes and trousers in addition
to the above items.

Growth in the
number of rafters over the years has put some strain on the environment
of the rivers and beaches. A little thought and action is required
to conserve the river environment. The river outfitters and the
rafters can play a role in the conservation by burning down such
items as toilet paper, left over food etc. Undisposable items such
as tin cans, bottles, could be handed out to the local villagers
who could use them for their domestic purpose. While digging a toilet
pit, make sure that it is deep enough. Please do not throw any thing
about the river. If you care the river, it will be with you forever
nice and clean.